Ode to the Solo Traveler
“I travel to see how other people live. I caught the travel bug in 2011 and I haven’t turned back since.” These are the words of converted world traveler Andre. He has been traveling since his first trip out of North America to Paris. A trip he went on with his mother. So, from never traveling outside of North America to now having traveled to 38 countries around the world in under ten years. I think it’s safe to say he has found his passion. Talk about a globe trotter!
I sat down with him to find out some of his top picks for countries to visit, and his advice for other travelers. This world traveler has amassed a world of knowledge about travel, culture, and people. So, we decided to see what we could learn from this seeker of knowledge and traveler amongst men. We began by talking about his top 5 countries and what stood out to him from these places.
The following is a snippet from our interview:
Out of the 38 countries that you’ve visited, what are your top 5 and why?
My top 5 countries are Japan, England, France, Egypt, and the UAE.
Japan
Japan is one of my top 5 countries to visit because of Tokyo. It is the mecca of technology and the future. They are way ahead when it comes to technology, fashion, and pretty much most of the things that matter to me. They are also ahead when it comes to video game developers and the tech industry in general. Many of the well-known game developers come from Japan.
I consider myself a food lover and the food in Japan is so good, especially the ramen and the sushi. The fashion there also stood out to me. Everyone was very well put together. The women were also dressed in high-fashion clothing on a regular basis.
England
London felt like how you would expect a capital city to feel. It had those wonderful attractions that we always hear about and or see on TV. I went to London Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Hyde Park. I also liked the simplicity of traveling on buses, so I really enjoyed seeing the double-decker buses and traveling on them. It was quite a treat.
It was also fantastic hearing the British accent in person, which I’ve always kind of liked.
Another thing that I liked was the transit system. Many people don’t realize how important the transit system is when you go on solo travels without any real guidance. You need a reliable and easy-to-understand transit system. The transit system in London was impressive. I had no issues at all. It was highly organized. So I was able to get to all the places I wanted without getting turned around or asking for directions too often.
I also loved the food there. London is said to have the worst food in Europe. But I have to say I enjoyed it, especially their fish and chips, which they are known for. I get it every time I’m in London, and it never disappoints.
I also had a special experience on one of my trips to London which also adds to it being one of my favorite places to visit. What happened is, I was there when Kate gave birth to her first child, and I was interviewed about it by Sun Magazine. I still even have a copy of the magazine.
France
France has a special space in my heart because it was my first trip outside of North America and it’s the only trip on this list that wasn’t a solo trip. I took this trip to Paris as a treat for my mom’s birthday. So not only was it my first trip outside of Canada, but it was also a special trip for my mom. We had an amazing time. I must say she has been my best travel companion so far.
Paris is also great for its attention to detail which I saw in everything there; from the food to the locations/buildings, and the care they put into the hotels and rooms and places I stayed.
It was also lovely to see the fashion in action. The people there actually wore the name-brand clothes and designer accessories we hear about in magazines as everyday fashion. It felt a bit surreal.
It was also endearing to hear the French language as it’s spoken in France. It had a level of sophistication to it that kind of drew you in. It truly is the language of love. Or it could just be that I was enjoying the experience so much that everything felt more magical while I was there.
I was also able to visit some cool places, such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. These are places that I never believed I would see in real life. It was also great to be able to share that with my mom for her birthday.
We also went outside of Paris on that trip. We visited Versailles. It is located about 12 miles outside of Paris. It's in the countryside, and it really had a romantic vibe to it. I would recommend it for couples and the romantics at heart.
France really catered to all of my interests and I’m looking forward to going there again. It was my first trip and I have only been there once. I need to go there again.
Egypt
I used to be a huge videogame guy and one of my favorite games was Tomb Raider. I loved the game’s imagery and history, so it heightened my interest in Egypt. Then on top of that, as a Christian, I grew up reading the Bible and learning about the places in Egypt and in this part of the world. Places such as Cairo, Giza, and Jerusalem were often talked about in the Bible, and I was really interested in seeing them for myself.
Seeing the Pyramids was awe-inspiring. I was lucky enough to get a hotel room right across from the Pyramids. It was such a wonderful view. One that I never thought in a million years I would get to see up close.
I also went on the River Nile and saw the Sphinx in Cairo and so many other historical places that I never expected to see.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The United Arab Emirates is as beautiful and glamorous as people say it is. I went to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. There are seven Emirates and the laws there are very strict. But in the two Emirates that I visited; the laws were a little less strict. They were both gorgeous cities. It was very clean, almost pristine. I loved the Mall in Dubai. It was huge and very exquisite. There was a beautiful fountain there. It’s the largest music fountain in the world.
I mentioned the luxury cars being driven in Paris, but in the UAE that was stepped up a notch with the types of cars that I saw there. I even saw a Lamborghini police car. Then when it came to public transportation, which I always take note of, it was very organized. The trains were separated by gender. They had men and women-only cars.
I also liked the traditional garbs worn there. Visitors were able to buy them and try them out for themselves. They were also good for the heat in the deserts of the UAE. I have a few photos of me wearing one.
In UAE the activities and the new things to try out were endless. I tried to do as many as I could. I drove buggies in the desert. I went sand surfing. I did as many outdoor activities as time allowed. It was such an amazing experience. I think it would be a great trip for a group of friends. I did it alone, but while there I met a lot of great people along the way.
I visited Dubai after Ramadan, so I saw some belly dancing, which was incredible. The women were beautiful, and their dancing was mesmerizing. I can never forget it. Just pure beauty in movement.
The mosques were also remarkable. Being in the mosque was quite an emotional experience for me.
To wrap up, do you have any advice for people who want to travel, especially for those who have a fear of traveling alone?
I would say, just do it. I think if you’re financially and physically able to do it, you should do a solo trip at least once. It is such an exhilarating experience.
If there is a fear of traveling alone, especially as a woman, one of my suggestions is to stay at hotels where there will be other travelers. Hotels are usually safer. Also, if you know someone who lives in the area maybe you can ask them to give you recommendations or house you for a few days for a fee.
If money is the main issue, then you must think about how badly you want it. Then you change up your expenses and spending habits to accommodate it and save what you need. When traveling alone you can also make cheaper choices because you have only yourself to please. You don’t have to book the most expensive hotels or activities, you can choose cheaper, yet comfortable options to suit your tastes. When starting out you can book small trips with shorter distances to get yourself more used to it at first. You don’t have to go big right away by going far distances or by booking something expensive.
It is also important to do your research before you book your trip. Find out the regulations in the area you’re going to visit. That includes travel regulations, social regulations, and dress codes depending on where you’re going. Then of course you need to check and ensure that your own personal documents are in good standing, like your passport, visa, or any other relevant documents.
Other than that, I say happy traveling. Just let go and do it!
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